PROTECTED SPECIES

Population Surveys

Lotspeich and Associates, Inc. (L&A) has over 26 years of experience in providing habitat assessments, threatened and/or endangered species surveys and management plans, as well as the associated permitting required for impacting critical habitat. Our staff has surveyed thousands of acres and has the experience and scientific credibility to address protected species issues on any size parcel of land.

The identification of protected species and their habitats can be conducted at various levels of detail depending on the degree of sensitivity needed for each situation.  An early planning/land acquisition evaluation may only require a cursory review for potential presence determinations, while a final design study or the evaluation of a specific development proposal may require a more detailed and site/species specific evaluation (including the use of small mammal traps, drift fences, bucket traps, nocturnal recording devices, etc.). 

Management Plans

Once a protected species is confirmed on-site, an appropriate management plan needs to be developed. This plan typically focuses on identifying the location and extent of occupied habitat within the study area, the degree of impact anticipated by a proposed project or land use, available and appropriate steps for managing each species within the context of the project, and those steps required to resolve the regulatory requirements.  Opportunities and constraints are also discussed as they relate to permitting strategies and other issues affecting the overall project configuration, phasing, or build-out.

L&A has extensive experience with the preparation of site specific protected species management plans.  Most notable has been the development of management plans for Florida black bear, Florida scrub jays, bald eagles, and all of the xeric habitat species (Florida mouse/sand skink/gopher frog/Eastern indigo snake).  Such protected species management plans typically include land management strategies such as prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, and other available techniques that ensure the continued viability of the habitat.  Successful management of a species can also involve the issuance of an Incidental Take Permit, and L&A has coordinated the issuance of ITPs for a variety of protected species.

We also understand the biology of each species (population dynamics, upper respiratory diseases, etc.), and the political culture within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that play into the acceptance of a specific management plan.

Relocations

If a protected species is found on the project site, the L&A staff is trained and experienced in handling the relocation of the animal if necessary.  As an example, we utilize burrow cameras and DGPS field units to ensure accurate identification of gopher tortoise populations, and have extensive experience with the live capture/relocation of this species.